Tips for Cleaning and Preserving Your Dentures
Dentures are used to replace missing teeth. This helps to restore smile while allowing people to chew and speak without impediment.
Even though they are a great way to replace missing teeth, they also need to be properly taken care of to ensure that they last a long time.
Dentures
The most important thing to keep in mind is dentures act as replacement teeth. Like natural teeth, they need to be taken care of to prevent damage and infection. The following tips will help keep your dentures clean and make them last longer.
Rinse dentures after eating
Food particles get stuck on and between dentures after eating. They eventually rot if left on them for a while, leading to bad breath and other oral health concerns. Dentures should be removed and cleaned immediately after eating to remove any food particles stuck in them. Dentists recommend rinsing them with warm water after eating to get rid of the debris.
Handle with care
Dentures tend to be slippery during removal because of the saliva stuck to them and can easily fall on the floor and break. This can be prevented by filling up the sink with water before removing the dentures or by placing a folded towel in the sink during removal to soften a fall.
Clean mouth after removal
Cleaning dentures after they are removed is important because it gets rid of the food particles stuck in them. It is also important that people clean their mouths after removing their dentures to remove some of the gum bacteria and any denture adhesive left in the mouth.
Brush dentures daily
Teeth brushing is an important part of daily oral hygiene and the same rules apply to dentures. Remove the dentures before cleaning to avoid accidentally consuming dental adhesive. Dentists recommend using soft-bristle toothbrushes and non-abrasive denture cleansers to clean the dentures.
Soak overnight
Once the dentures have been cleaned, they can be kept sanitary until they are ready to be used again. This can be done by soaking them in warm water or a mild denture-soaking solution overnight.
When they are ready to be worn, the dentures should be rinsed thoroughly before being inserted in the mouth, especially if they have been soaked in a denture solution.
Do not use traditional toothpaste
Even though dentures are usually made from plastic or metal, they are coated with a resin material to make them appear more natural. The resin materials used to coat the dentures do not mix well with traditional toothpaste and can scratch and stain the dentures.
Schedule regular dental appointments
After fitting them with dentures, dentists will tell their patients how often they have to visit their office for a checkup. This is to make sure the dentures are still in place and have not been damaged. Dentists also provide patients with tips on how to properly care for their dentures.
Conclusion
Dentures help people restore their smiles and act as their natural teeth. This is why it is important that they are properly taken care of. If you have missing teeth, then schedule an appointment with a dentist to find out if dentures can be used to fix the problem.
Request an appointment here or call Calabasas Dental Care at (818) 591-2480 for an appointment in our Calabasas office.